Tim Gunn Sew Along

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Again from Net-a-porter, the basic and not so basic white shirt for Spring of 2012. Some more inspired than others, but a valuable basic to have in the wardrobe. The J Crew was the most basic and nudged out a Ralph Lauren candidate because of the pockets. The Valentino Red looks like a men's tuxedo shirt with the lace ruffled down the front. The Karl with black contrast band was unusual, and since we own so much black it's would be a nice detail to add to any other shirt. The Gucci just looks so soft and comfortable it had to be included. Altuzarra with a buccaneer influence looks very nice with a high waisted skirt. Vivienne Westwood, best for last, looks equally good tucked in or out.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Number 6 on Tim Gunn's list is the Any Occasion Top, here are a few examples from the Net-a-Porter website, that can easily go from day to evening. You can swap out the jeans for a pair of black pants or a skirt and you are ready for dinner.

I am especially intrigued by the Etro top (I love the crazy colors), and if you have a collection of chiffon cuts that you didn't know what to do with, this would be a good use for them. There's even a Vogue pattern (V1301) that was recently issued that might be a good start if you shortened it a bit.

This is not your typical day dress. Did you inherit a number of scarves that you don't know what to do with?
Dolce and Gabbana take advantage of the border print in these two examples, and they're a steal at $995 each.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

I hope everyone is working away on their sewing resolutions! I fell in love at the supermarket with the Vogue cover for January 2012, Meryl Streep in a pearl colored Donna Karan shirtdress. This will be my first project for 2012.

While perusing for the Magazine cover, I came across this short video on Meryl Streep. The dress is in the first few seconds, the rest of the video is a feature on Meryl's latest project the National Women's History Museum.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

One of Tim Gunn’s essential looks is a classic trench. Bernina My Label to the rescue! A recent pattern release was a classic trench coat. What a project but so worth it!

The fabric came from Michael’s Fabrics. It’s a Zegna 100% cotton rainwear fabric. So luxurious… I decided I needed to put leather buttons on it and found the perfect ones at MJ Trim in New York. Finding the leather buckles were another story. The only place I could find them was at Klein’s Haberdashery in London, England. I email them the link for the buttons and asked if the buckles they had would be a match. They said they would be suitable – now that does sound British!

How they got here was really interesting. They couldn’t ship to the US but my cousin is engaged to a guy in England and he said I could send them to his house and he would bring them on his next visit. On the way back to the airport they stopped by to drop them off to me. Now that’s service!
The pattern had the front gun flaps. I also lengthened the coat as I wanted it to be full length.

I lined it with some very nice coat weight lining from Atlanta Thread. I added a back vent and the rain shield to the back.

Needless to say this turned out to be a very lengthy project! I bought some light colored fabric from Michaels for a winter version on this with a quilted lining. I think it will be a while before I do that one.

Friday, October 7, 2011

This issue came out a few years ago, I really liked this shirt, well I liked the idea of the shirt, and the perfect print. At the time I started looking for suppliers for the fabric, because I couldn't believe it was $985.... I'm an expensive girl.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Here we go sexy edgy french women over 50! I was really happy to find some images of her not wearing black, and I love that Bohemian dress. One thing for sure, sky high heels are required for this look.